Sealing strip for buildings



March 6, 1934. G. J. WENCZ SEALING STRIP FOR BUILDINGS Filed Aug. 12, 1932 IN VEN TOR. (120/?65 I Wzwcz ATTORN Patented Mar. 6, 1934 UNITED STATES PATE -: rice 12 Claims.

This invention relates to scaling strips for use between boards, logs or slabs of any kind or class to seal the joints or intersections between the same; and the object of the invention is to provide a strip of the class specified composed of a flexible strand-like body composed of any suitable fibrous material encased in a mesh body of yielding material, maintaining the fibrous body in strand-like contour, and also serving to yield to and conform with the contour of adjacent surfaces of boards, slabs, logs or the like to provide a seal therebetween, and to maintain the fibrous strand-like body in position against displacement; a further object being to provide a sealing strip of the class described wherein the fibrous body is preferably composed of what is known as oakum but which may be composed of a hemp fiber, jute, hair or a combination of such material, or if desired of a body of cotton or wool; a further object being to provide a strip of the class described wherein the mesh body is composed of wire completely enveloping the fibrous body and forming a reinforcement and anchor for a finish coating of suitable material which may be applied to the strip to aid in sealing the intersection between boards, slabs or logs, as well as to increase the waterproofing characteristics of the seal especially when used on an outer wall or exposed surface; and with these and other objects in view the invention consists in a sealing strip of the class and for the purpose specified, which is simple and economical in construction, efficient in use and which is constructed as hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention is fully disclosed in the following specification, of which the accompanying drawing forms a part, in which the separate parts of my improvement are designated by suitable reference characters in each of the views, and in which:-

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a part of a wall of a log cabin illustrating one use of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a part of the 5 I sealing strip made according to my invention, and indicating the method of applying a mesh body thereto; and

Fig. 3 is a transverse section of the strip.

For the purpose of illustrating one method 5 of carrying my invention into effect, I have indicated in Fig. 1 of the drawing, parts of three logs 5, 6 and 7, forming the wall structure of a log-cabin, and at 8 I have shown my improved sealing strip disposed in the crevices between ad- J'acent surfaces of the logs both on the inner and outer faces oi the Wall thereby.

In Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawing I have shown, in detail, the structure of the sealing strip 8 which consists of a fibrous strand body 9 composed of oakum, or a hemp fiber treated with a waterproofing or water resisting compound oi any kind or class, or the body 9 may be composed of a jute material or, if desired, of a cotton or wool preferably treated to render the same moistureproof, or this body may be composed of a combination of material including hair-like strands and, if desired, asbestos, or the body may be treated with a compound which would render the same fire or flame resistant.

- Jacketing the body 9 is a mesh body 10 which may be formed and applied in any desired manner and, in the construction shown, is formed from an elongated strip of sufiicient width to encircle the body 9 and to overlap and interlock the side edges of the mesh body as shown at 11,

so as to retain the same together.

In the construction shown, the body 10 consist of wire mesh but this body may be composed of any suitable material, the only requirement being that the material employed is capable of yielding so as to permit the same to conform with the contour of adjacent surfaces of logs or other bodies, to provide the required seal therebetween.

It will be understood that my invention is not necessarily limited to the use of a mesh body of the character disclosed, as a body of openwork material of any kind or class having the characteristics specified may be employed.

In the use of my improved device in conjunc tion with the logs of a log cabin, the strips 8 are forced into the crevices between the adjacent logs by hand, or by a suitable tool, and in this operation the strips will be compressed, flattened or otherwise shaped to conform with any irregularities that may exist between the logs, the mesh body of the strip serving to retain the fibrous body in position, as well as to retain the strip against displacement with respect to the 1 logs, the operation being that of a calking operation.

The strips 8 are disposed on the inner and outer surfaces of the wall as indicated in Fig. 1 of the drawing and, if desired, a suitable coating may be applied over the strips to produce a more finished joint between the logs. In Fig. 1, I have indicated at 12 an outer coating and at 12a an inner coating. These coatings may be of a plastic substance which will adhere to and anchor structure formed on the mesh body of the strips and have moistureproof characteristics, especially if applied on the outer surface of the wall, whereas the inner coating 12a need not necessarily have the waterproofing characteristics.

It will be understood that my improved sealing strip may be made of different diameters to suit different uses, and while I have indicated the strip as used in conjunction with the building log, the same may be used in conjunction with boards or slabs, or with any kind or class of building material where it was required to calk or seal a joint between building material; and various changes in and modifications of the construction herein shown and described may be made, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of my invention or sacrificing its advantages.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:-

1. A sealing strip for use between the adjacent surfaces of building material comprising an elongated body of fibrous material enclosed in a jacket of openwork material through which the fibrous body is exposed.

2. A sealing strip for use between the adjacent surfaces of building material comprising an elongated body of fibrous material enclosed in a jacket of openwork material through which the fibrous body is exposed, and said fibrous body being of a yielding texture permitting the same to conform with the adjacent surfaces of building material in connection with which the same is mounted.

3. A sealing strip for use between the adjacent surfaces of building material comprising an elongated body of fibrous material enclosed in a. jacket of openwork material through which the fibrous body is exposed, said fibrous body being of a yielding texture permitting the same to conform with the adjacent surfaces of building material in connection with which the same is mounted, and said openwork body being composed of yielding material.

4. A sealing strip of the class described comprising a strand-like body of soft yielding fibrous material, and an open mesh jacket enveloping said body.

5. A sealing strip of the class described comprising a strand-like body of soft yielding fibrous material, and an open mesh jacket enveloping said body, said mesh body being composed of wire.

6. A sealing strip of the class described comprising a strand-like body of soft yielding fibrous material, an open mesh jacket enveloping said body, and said fibrous body being chemically treated to render the same moistureproof and fire repellant.

7. A sealing strip for use between adjacent surfaces of building boards, logs or slabs to provide a seal therebetween, said strip comprising a strand of yielding fibrous material enclosed in an openwork jacket of yielding material and through which the fibrous strand is exposed, said strip being adapted to be forced into position between the boards, logs or slabs and to conform with the contour of the adjacent surfaces thereof, and a coating of plastic material applied over said strip to provide a finished outer surface.

8. A sealing strip for use between adjacent surfaces of building boards, logs or slabs to provide a seal therebetween, said strip comprising a strand of yielding fibrous material enclosed in an openwork jacket of yielding material and through which the fibrous strand is exposed, said strip being adapted to be forced into position between the boards, logs or slabs and to conform with the contour of the adjacent surfaces thereof, and a coating of plastic material appliedover said strip to provide a finished outer surface, said coating having waterproofing characteristics.

9. A sealing strip for use between adjacent surfaces of building boards, logs or slabs to provide a seal therebetween, said strip comprising a strand of yielding fibrous material enclosed in an openwork jacket of yielding material and through which the fibrous strand is exposed, said strip being adapted to be forced into position between the boards, logs or slabs and to conform with the contour of the adjacent surfaces thereof, a coating of plastic material applied over said strip to provide a finished outer surface, and the mesh body of said strand serving to anchor the coating to said strip.

10. A sealing device of the class described comprising an elongated strip of oakum contained in a jacket of openwork yielding material through which the oakum is exposed.

11. A sealing device of the class described comprising an elongated strip' of oakum contained in a jacket of yielding material, said jacket being in the form of a wire body having a relatively large mesh.

12. A device of the class described comprising an elongated strip composed of a multiple strand 125 fibrous body treated with a waterproof compound, and means enveloping said body for retaining the strands against displacement and for exposing the strands therethrough. 

